Smoothed and Painted Headlight Mod.

This is a new appearance modification that I have come up with for our Camaros. Take a look under the hood of your Camaro, right there up front you’ll see the headlights of the car. Well if yours are anything like mine are, you’ll see that the backsides of them are a somewhat crappy, half *** gray and chrome, with lots of casting marks, lines and writing. See pic:

<img src="http://www.netsnapshot.com/users/4394/images/PN3TJsCoBQIAAC8hzmE_4394_31.jpg" alt=" - " />

Well I decided to take the headlights out of the car, by removing the one 10mm bolt from the back, disconnecting the wiring, and sliding the units out. I carefully removed the four spring clips and all of the miscellaneous mounting hardware from the back of the lights, there are four very small bolts, two medium sized and one torx to remove. There are two breathers on each light, remove them, by pulling them off, and I recommend covering up the holes very tightly so that no dust, moisture or paint go in there. Also remove the light bulbs and seal up the holes. Once all of the above was done, I carefully sanded the body of the lights with 120 grit and 240 grit sand paper with my Black & Decker Mouse sander. It made pretty quick work on removing all the excess stuff off the light body. I must admit it makes for a TON of fine white dust so, I recommend using a mask. I went over the lights with 400 grit sand paper by hand. I then thoroughly cleaned the lights and masked them off. I sprayed the lights with high temp engine paint (just on the safe side but I doubt headlights would ever get that hot) used several very light coats for complete coverage. Once dried I laid on several coats of clear to give the lights that rich deep shine. Once everything was good and dry, unmask, and put everything back together. Double check to make sure your lights are properly aimed afterwards.

Here's the finished product, subtle but clean!

<img src="http://www.netsnapshot.com/users/4394/images/PN3TbsCoBQIAAC8brS8_4394_32.jpg" alt=" - " />

I hope you enjoy! Andy <img border="0" title="" alt="[Cool]" src="gr_images/icons/cool.gif" />

<small>[ May 12, 2002, 09:07 AM: Message edited by: Xsta Z 28 ]</small>

 

looks like i now have something to do this weekend <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" /> looks nice and clean! thanks for the new mod andy!
-anthony

 

Looks Great! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Cool]" src="gr_images/icons/cool.gif" />

 

Looks awesome! I would have never thought to do that. That's why I love this site!

<small>[ May 12, 2002, 09:29 AM: Message edited by: Big Mike ]</small>

 

Looks bad ***!

 

hmm is the back metal or plastic? Very nice work man.

 

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by Cool28:
<strong>hmm is the back metal or plastic? Very nice work man.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">The head light body or back is like a fiberglass/plastic blend.

Thanks for the compliments. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Cool]" src="gr_images/icons/cool.gif" />

<small>[ May 12, 2002, 09:56 PM: Message edited by: Xsta Z 28 ]</small>

 

Great Job, that does look awesome!

Shane

 

Are you sure you don't need to license that idea? Don't let SLP see this mod. They'll ban you because they can't make money from it. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Razz]" src="gr_tounge.gif" />

When are we doing my headlights? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" />

 

Very nice Andy, real clean looking now you have something to do to that Berger when you get it <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" />

 

That is nice!! I think im gonna do that today. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="gr_eek2.gif" />

 

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by Mark IXZD 150:
<strong>When are we doing my headlights? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" /> </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">When you are ready and have some free time. But I started a new project on my SS that I think you need to help me with. <img border="0" alt="[devil]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_devil.gif" /> And not just hold the flashlight.

 

Its about time you posted this <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" /> -- when i get my car back from the dealer I will post a pic of mine.. thanks for the idea Andy..

The key to the project is prep work and patience.. the more time you spend sanding right and masking things off good the better you will be..

I found that once you pull out the headlight bulbs the best thing to plug the holes (to keep dust and paint out the INTERIOR of the headlight was a couple corks(the tapered kind)

I dont think I like the silver with my pewter though.. Im going to switch to a darker metalic grey next weekend.. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" /> Yours came out great though.. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" />

 

Steve, try Duplicolor 'cast coat iron' if you don'tlike the silver. That'll look nice with your car. It's the same color paint that's on Andy's calipers.

Andy, what's the new project? You've got my ears perked up. Is it the subframe connectors? We've got a lot of work to do soon on my car too. My new exhaust should be here soon and I still need to do the window motors.

 

NICE! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Cool]" src="gr_images/icons/cool.gif" /> <img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_cheers.gif" />

 

Freakn Aye! That looks sweet..well looks like I have something to do this weekend!! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" />

Danny

 

Thanks for all the replys. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" /> Pretty easy to do on a rainy day, when you can't drive your SS. Should only take a day to do all the work.

 

It would probably look even more "custom" if you painted them the same color as the car once they were sanded <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" />

Nice idea, you detailers are nuts! hah

Tony

 

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by Nine Ball:
<strong>. . . you detailers are nuts! hah

Tony</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif"><img border="0" alt="[jester]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_jest.gif" /> You betta believe it! <img border="0" alt="[jester]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_jest.gif" />

 

That looks Great! and a Great! idea. Hmmm thankyou for giving us another way to help make our cars look great. <img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_cheers.gif" />